Seaman Recruit Spencer Fabian, Division 221, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on June 14.

Fabian, from Roseburg, Oregon, said he joined the Navy to serve his country and for the opportunity to build a career.

“I wanted, first and foremost, to serve my country,” he said. “And I wanted to get away from the job I had and create a new life and career opportunities for myself and my girlfriend, Candace Mock.”

Fabian, 30, is a 2007 graduate of Roseburg High School in Roseburg, Oregon. He earned a Bachelor of Science in outdoor adventure leadership from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, and he was employed at a plywood mill.

Fabian is assigned the rate of Aviation Electrician’s Mate.

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award is the top award presented to the No. 1 recruit of their graduating training group. The MEA is awarded to the recruit that best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork. The award placed him at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Fabian is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Fabian said earning the MEA was an “incredible honor.”

“I was shocked just to know I made it to the top 3 percent,” he said. “After I found out I won the highest award, I was just beyond myself.”

Fabian credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Electronics Technician Alexander Rocha; Yeoman 1st Class Jordan McCurley; and Engineman 2nd Class Elpidio Negron Jr. for their leadership and guidance.

“I was very fortunate to have three outstanding RDCs who really care about what they do and put the time in to make the best Sailors out of not just me, but everyone in my division,” he said. “I also am very fortunate to have an amazing support group back home from my family and friends who have done nothing but encourage me to be the best person I can be.”

The toughest part of boot camp for Fabian was being away from home.

“Just being away from everything and everyone I love, but their consistent support has helped me to keep moving forward,” he said. “The age difference between my brothers in my division and I was something that took me a while to adjust to, at first, because it was almost like I was taking a step back into high school. But once I got to know them it felt like we all became a family.”

After graduation, Fabian will attend Aviation Electrical Technician class “A” School in Pensacola, Florida. Aviation Electrician’s Mates troubleshoot and repair some of the most complex electronic systems employing the latest test equipment and procedures available today. They repair and maintain digital computers, fiber optics, infrared detection, radar systems, electricity generation systems, laser electronics, navigation systems, communications equipment, electrical power distribution, pressure indication systems, and electric transformers and circuits.

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. More than 35,000 recruits are trained annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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